Lesson video

Hello, my name is Mrs. Rawbone, and I'm your RS teacher today.

I'd like to welcome you to this lesson on Reasons for Crime: Greed and Hate.

In today's lesson, you will be able to explain how greed and hate can cause crime and describe Christian and secular responses to these causes.

Three key words we'll be using today are crime, greed, and hate.

Crime is an action which breaks the law, it can be against the person, for example, murder, against property, for example, vandalism, or against the state, for example, treason.

Greed is a reason for committing crime, wanting or desiring something or more of something.

Hate is another reason for committing crime, prejudice or hatred against a person or group.

So in our lesson today, we'll have two sections.

We're going to be looking at greed and hatred, and we'll be looking at responses to causes of crime.

So let's get started on greed and hatred.

Jacob and Laura are discussing the causes of crime.

Jacob says, "Do people really break the law because of greed and hate?" Laura replies, "Yes.

If someone wants money or power badly, or dislike someone strongly, it can lead them to commit a crime." Jacob replies, "I wonder whether being greedy or feeling hatred are conscious choices, and therefore whether the person is really to blame for the crime?" So why is Jacob's question important? If you are able to pause and turn and talk to someone nearby, please do, or you can talk to me.

Come back when you're ready to move on with the lesson.

Crime has many causes, poverty, upbringing, mental illness, addiction, greed, and hate.

Greed is a reason for committing crime, wanting or desiring something or more of something.

A hate crime is a crime committed because of prejudice views about a person or group.

There is evidence of a link between greed and crime and between hate and crime.

Philosopher Peter Singer has criticised society for valuing profit above people.

He argues when success is defined by money, it promotes selfish behaviour and can lead to crime.

The psychologist, Gordon Allport, explained that prejudice begins with words and attitudes, and can escalate to discrimination and violence, with hate crime as a possible outcome.

Greed can lead to crime.

A person might want wealth, power, or status.

They might lie, steal, or exploit others to get what they want.

And success doing this can lead to even more crime.

Hate also leads to crime.

Negative stereotypes, assumptions, or beliefs that some people are less worthy than others might be where that hate starts.

This leads to unfair treatment, so discrimination, bullying, name-calling, hate speech, targeting certain individuals or groups, and it can culminate in crime, including physical attacks or threats, or vandalism, or maybe online abuse that's motivated by hatred towards a group.

So let's check your understanding.

I'm going to do one example for you.

So give one reason why someone might say someone who commits a crime because of greed is responsible for their actions.

And what you could say for this one would be, "Greed doesn't stop someone from knowing right and wrong.

They made a deliberate decision to break the law.

The person chose to put self-interest first." So, now, it's over to you.

Give one reason why someone might say, "Someone who commits a crime because of hate is responsible for their actions." So take a moment to think about the reason that you might put down.

Pause the video if you need to, and then come back when you're ready to see what you could have written.

You could have said any one of the following, "They chose to act on hateful views.

They knew that action could harm someone.

They decided not to question or resist hate." So well done if you managed to give one of those reasons to say why someone who commits a crime because of hate is still responsible for their actions.

Greed can be a cause of a variety of types of crime.

Fraud and embezzlement, people offer or accept bribes.

Corruption and bribery, individuals deceive others and steal funds for personal gain.

Money laundering, people hide illegal money through complex transactions.

Tax evasion, people or businesses illegally avoid paying taxes to keep more money.

Can you think of any further examples? Pause the video, turn and talk to someone nearby if you can, or you can talk to me, and then come back when you're ready to move on.

Hate can cause a variety of types of crime.

Vandalism, individuals might damage property, and this could be to intimidate a person or group.

Hate speech, people might express hostility or encourage violence through their words.

Violent offences, prejudice against a person's identity can lead to violent attacks.

Online abuse, prejudice leaves people to harass others using digital platforms. So have a think again, can you think of any further examples of types of crime that are caused by hate? Pause the video, turn and talk to someone nearby if you can, or you can talk to me, and then come back when you're ready to move on.

Let's think about greed.

Bernie Madoff operated from the 1990s until 2008, and he ran the largest Ponzi scheme in history, which defrauded investors of billions.

This was due to his greed for wealth and power.

Hate, Stephen Lawrence was murdered in 1993 in a racially motivated attack in Southeast London.

His case exposed racial hatred, police failings, and led to stronger hate crime laws.

So which of the following crimes is likely to be caused by greed? Take a moment, pause if you need to.

Think about the options, we have A, fraud, B, hate speech, C, vandalism, and D, online abuse.

Come back when you're ready to check your answer.

Well done if you put fraud, this is the one that's most likely to be a result of greed.

There were different arguments about how far people who commit crimes due to greed are responsible for their actions.

Someone might say that, "Greed is a choice.

They know right from wrong.

It's a deliberate decision to break the law.

It's choosing to put self-interest first." On the other hand, you could argue they're not responsible, because greed is encouraged by society.

There's social pressure to be successful.

There are messages throughout the media.

It's normalised, this idea of selfishness.

So which way do you think the balance tips? Are crimes committed due to greed, ones that people are responsible for, or not? Pause the video, turn and talk to someone nearby if you can, or you can talk to me, and then come back when you're ready to move on.

There are arguments about how far people who commit crimes due to hate are responsible for their actions.

We might say, "They're responsible because hate is still a choice.

They chose to act on hateful views.

They knew it would harm someone.

They decided not to question or resist the hate." On the other hand, we could argue, "They're not responsible because hate is so very much influenced by others.

Perhaps there's prejudice in the home or community, influence from media or peer groups, or fear and ignorance that has been passed on to that person." So have a think again.

How far do you think people who commit crimes due to hate are responsible for their actions? Pause the video, turn and talk to someone nearby if you can, and then come back when you're ready to move on.

Let's check your understanding.

What are the missing words? There are four of them.

So, firstly, people who commit crimes due to greed are, if they choose to put self-interest first.

Greed may be seen as less their fault if it is encouraged by, through social pressure and media messages.

People commit crimes due to hate are responsible if they act on hateful views, it will harm someone.

Hate may be, by others who prejudice in the home, media, or peer groups.

So take a moment, pause the video, jot down your answers, and then come back when you're ready to check.

So well done if you spotted the first one was responsible, people who commit crimes due agreed are responsible if they choose to put self-interest first.

The second was society, greed may be seen as less their fault if it's encouraged by society through social pressure and media messages.

For the third one, it was knowing, people who commit crimes due to hate are responsible if they act on hateful views, knowing it will harm someone.

And finally, the last one was influenced, hate may be influenced by others through prejudice in the home, media, or peer groups.

Well done if you've got all four of those right.

For task A, I'd like you to identify one way that greed can lead to crime, explain why it can cause crime, include an example of how it might lead someone to commit a crime.

Then I'd like you to identify one way hate can lead to crime, explain why it can cause crime, and include an example of how it might lead someone to commit a crime.

So pause the video.

Take your time to think about both of those causes and how they can lead to crime.

Once you've written your answer, come back to see what you could have written.

You could have said, "Greed can cause crime because when people want more money or possessions than they need, they may break the law to get it.

For example, someone might commit fraud to gain financial profit." And for number two, "Hate causes crime when individuals attack or discriminate against others because of their race, religion, or other identity.

For example, a hate crime might involve assaulting someone because of their ethnicity." So well done if you manage to come up with an example of each of those and to explain how it works.

For the second part of our lesson, we're going to be looking at responses to causes of crime.

Christians try to answer questions about crime by consulting sources of authorities such as the Bible and church teachings.

They might also use their conscience and reason, which they see as God-given gifts, and consider non-religious arguments to work out what to do.

They may interpret the sources differently or emphasise one more than another.

Bible teachings are a source of wisdom and authority for Christians when thinking about the causes of crime.

1 Timothy 6:10 says, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.

Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." This teaches us that greed can lead people to make morally wrong choices, including criminal ones, because their desire for wealth becomes more important than doing what is right.

Matthew 5:21-22, Jesus says, "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not murder,' and anyone who murders will be subject to judgement.

But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgement ." Jesus equates hatred and anger with the seriousness of murder, suggesting that hate can cause crime and is morally blameworthy.

So while it may explain someone's actions, it does not excuse them.

So what is the missing word in this biblical quotation about greed from 1 Timothy 6:10? "For the, of many is a root of all kinds of evil." Pause the video, jot down your answer, and come back when you're ready to check.

So well done if you remember that it is the love of money that is the root of all kinds of evil.

Different Christian denominations express concern about greed as a cause of crime.

The Catholic Church teaches that greed is a deadly sin and a cause of many crimes like theft and fraud.

The Catechism paragraph 2,536 states, "The 10th Commandment forbids greed and endless desire for possessions." The Church of England recognises that greed can lead to crimes such as corruption, exploitation, or theft.

Bishops have spoken against economic injustice and systems that encourage greed.

Different denominations also express a concern about hate as a cause of crime.

The Methodist Conference has consistently supported campaigns against hate crime.

It encourages education, active peacemaking, and inclusion as a Christian response to hatred.

The Orthodox Church teaches the hatred is a symptom of spiritual illness which separates a person from God and from others.

The church warns that hate darkens the soul and leads to violence.

There are non-religious, secular, and religious organisations that work to combat greed.

Transparency International UK is a non-religious organisation campaigning against corruption.

It investigates fraud and bribery, it advocates for stronger laws and transparency, and it educates on ethical practises.

Church Action on Poverty is a UK-based Christian charity campaigning against economic injustice and inequality.

It campaigns for fair wages, it advocates for tax justice, and it challenges unethical business driven by greed.

Fiona attends an Anglican Church.

She's explaining her response to greed as a cause of crime.

"When companies cut corners to boost profits, or the rich avoid paying their fair share, the result is poverty, exploitation, and sometimes crime.

That is why I support Church Action on Poverty.

They challenge the idea that success means getting as much as you can, no matter who gets hurt." So what does Church Action on Poverty challenge? Pause the video, have a look at what Fiona said, come back when you're ready to move on.

There are non-religious, secular, and religious organisations that work to combat hate.

HOPE not hate is a secular UK charity focused on combating hate.

It runs community education and anti-racism campaigns.

It researches and exposes extremist groups.

It supports victims of hate crime.

Christian Action Research and Education, CARE, is a Christian charity focused on social justice, which campaigns against hate.

It lobbies for stronger hate crime laws, it provides resources to respond to hate with compassion, and it advocates for religious freedom.

Danielle is a Roman Catholic Christian.

She's explaining her response to hate as a cause of crime.

Danielle says, "Hate builds when people feel threatened, divided, or unheard.

I support Christian Action Research and Education, or CARE, because it works on social policy issues, including hate crime and online abuse.

They campaign for stronger legal protection, support freedom of belief, and help churches respond with compassion and clarity." So what does CARE work on? Pause the video to have a look again at what Danielle has said, and then come back when you're ready to move on.

I'd like you to name one question or secular organisation that works to respond either to greed or hate as a cause of crime.

So pause the video, have a think about what we've learned, jot down your answer, and come back when you're ready to see what you could have written.

You could have said, "Transparency International UK, Church Action on Poverty, HOPE not hate, or CARE," which is Christian Action Research and Education.

Well done if you manage to list one of those organisations.

Here are two arguments for and two arguments against the statement, "Crimes driven by greed deserve harsher punishment." Arguments for, crimes motivated by personal gain are often planned.

Harsher punishment sets an example that choosing to exploit others for profit will not be tolerated.

Arguments against, punishment should be based on the harm caused, not just the motive behind it.

People are influenced by materialism and pressure to succeed, so harsher punishment is unfair.

Here are two arguments for and two arguments against the statement, "Hate crime is worse than other crime because it targets who someone is." Arguments for, hate crime attacks a person's identity and leaves long-lasting emotional damage.

When someone is targeted for who they are, it can make others in that group feel unsafe.

Arguments against, a crime is still serious, even if it's not motivated by hate.

All victims deserve equal justice.

The harm done should be judged by the result, not by what the criminal was thinking.

Let's check your understanding.

Is this statement true or false? An argument in support of the view that greed is an excuse for crime is that crimes motivated by personal gain not often planned.

Take a moment, pause the video if you need to.

I'd like you to think about whether it's true or false, but also why.

Come back when you're ready to check your answer.

So well done if you put false.

But why is it false? Well, it's false because planning shows awareness and intent, which typically increases responsibility rather than reduces it.

For part one of our tasks, I'd like you to explain two religious beliefs about greed as a cause of crime.

Refer to sacred writings or another source of religious belief in teaching in your answer.

For guidance then, you should use point develop, point develop.

You need to link in at least one of these points to a relevant source of wisdom, authority, and you need to explain what that source teaches in relation to your points.

So this might be a quotation or a general belief, or teaching.

So take your time, pause the video, think carefully about the points that you want to develop, and don't forget to link in that source of wisdom or authority.

Come back when you're ready to see what you could have written.

You could have said, "Christianity teaches that when people are consumed by the desire for more, (chair scratching) Christianity teaches that when, (chair scratching) Christianity teaches that when people are consumed by the desire for more money or possessions, they may commit crimes, such as theft, fraud, or exploitation, to satisfy their greed.

The Bible warns against this in 1 Timothy 6:10, which says, 'For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.

' This shows that greed can lead people far away from God and towards harmful actions." Church Action on Poverty is a charity which campaigns on the belief that greed creates economic injustice and poverty, which can lead to crime.

Greed is not an individual problem, but a social issue that harms communities.

The organisation works for fair wages, ethical business, and tax justice to reduce poverty and prevent crimes linked to inequality.

So well done if you managed to make two points.

And if you linked in a source, such as a Bible teaching, even better.

The part two of our task, Aisha and Alex are arguing in support of the statement, "Hate crime is worse than other crime because it targets who someone is." I'd like you to complete their paragraphs by filling the gaps.

Aisha says, "Biblical teachings like, 'Anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgement ,' Matthew 5:21-22, show that Jesus taught Christians to take hatred seriously, so they should.

." And Alex says, "People should never be harmed because of their race, religion, or identity.

Hate crime spreads, that is why groups like HOPE not hate.

." So take your time, think about each of their paragraphs.

Remember they're making the same point, but Aisha is using very much Christian teaching, and Alex is making a more general point.

Come back when you're ready to see what you could have written.

You could have said, Aisha, "Biblical teachings like, 'Anyone who's angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgement ,' showed that Jesus cared about harmful thoughts as well as actions.

Jesus taught Christians to take hatred seriously, so they should see hate crime as especially wrong because it attacks someone for who they are." And for Alex, "People should never be harmed because of their race, religion, or identity.

Hate crimes spread fear across entire communities and not just to the person affected.

That is why groups like HOPE not hate campaign to stop it and promote respect and equality in society." So well done if you managed to develop both of their points in support of the statement.

In today's lesson, we have learned that greed can lead to crimes like fraud, bribery, and tax evasion when people seek wealth or power above everything else.

That hate can lead to crimes like vandalism, violence, and online abuse, often rooted in prejudice or hostility towards a group.

The Bible condemns both greed in 1 Timothy 6:10 and hatred, Matthew 5:21-22, warning that they can both lead to serious wrongdoing.

Christian denominations agree that greed and hate are morally wrong and damaging to individuals and society.

Charities such as Church Action on Poverty and CARE work to tackle the root causes of greed and hate, and reduce related crime.

Thank you so much for working with me today and for all of the effort you've put into this lesson.